Rear quarter window removal

[Reaper1]

OK, so I did a search a few times on this before posting this new thread. I found jack on how to do this job. I do have a FSM, but it's about as useful as a 3rd elbow regarding this particular thing.

 

I have seen a few hints, like remove the speaker, but there is no step-by-step.

 

I have found the 2 7mm (I was told they were 8mm, but 7 fits) nuts that the FSM shows, but there seems to be something else holding that trim cap on. I see another bolt that can be accessed through the seatbelt slot, but that just seems WAY too difficult. I am thinking about this as if in reverse of how it would go together on the assembly line and it just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

 

So, before I go and really dig myself a hole and take stuff apart for no reason, can anyone here tell me how to get to the rear quarter window regulators with step-by-step instructions?

[89TC-16V]

I removed the 1/4 windows before, theres a few nuts under the cover. I cant remember how many, but it was fairly easy to get it apart, i did not have to take any of the interior apart to get it off

[ghostymosty]

The glass can be removed without removing interior if you can fit your hand in small places, might have to remove the hold down bar for the side flapper handle of the hardtop if your car has that. To remove the entire glass with the regulator and window motor will require getting into the bottom of the quarter panel, might be accessible through the speaker opening but when I did it I took out the spare tire compartment to make it an easy job. This is all if my memory is correct from parting out my 89.

Edited September 9, 2015 by ghostymosty (see edit history)

[Reaper1]

Yes, I am needing to take the entire regulator and glass out.

 

Hmm. OK. I was sort of thinking that the spare tire well coming out might make it easier and had actually started to take it out. I think I might take the driver's seat out, too, just to have better access.

[Reaper1]

OK, so after looking at an eBay add I think I might have figured out where to look for the last nut holding the top seatbelt trim on that is over top of the quarter window opening. There are the 2 7mm (some may be 8mm) next to each other towards the rear of the car and can be seen through the top switch hole. The other one is towards the front and looks like it comes up from underneath as there is a stud there that is attached to the trim. I will hopefully find out later today!

[Reaper1]

I made some progress last night. I figured out how to get the interior trim off so that access to the top cap nuts is MUCH easier!

 

You have to take the polished stainless trim off of the door sill. In order to do that you have to remove the door striker. It is a much easier thing to do if you take the seatbelt loose from the floor, and once the top cap is off, then remove the top seatbelt guide/pivot. That allows the top cap and all to get out of the way.

 

I am hoping to get more done tonight. I plan to take pictures and do an entire write-up on how to do this since it seems like it's such a puzzle.

[Reaper1]

Yippie! I got the thing out! Because of what I have seen on the driver's side of the car I am going to do the same to the other side, just to make sure. The window does work, but it's slow. Plus I think I saw that the upper soft stop is MIA on that side just like the driver's side, so I need to replace that.

 

So, to get the regulator out:

 

you have to take the glass off of the regulator (at least I did so I had enough clearance to lift the entire thing out)

 

I also found it helps to take the outer window trim off the car (2 phillips head screws)

 

disconnect the electrical plug

 

3 10mm nuts and some jiggling and she come straight out.

 

OK...not *quite* that easy. The 2 upper nuts are stupid simple. The one down by the motor took some effort using a swivel, a few extensions and stuffing my hand in from the interior side next to the seatbelt reel.

 

I found that the electric motor had gotten rusty and locked up. I am trying to save it, but I'm not convinced my efforts are going to work. So, now to find a replacement motor!

[ghostymosty]

I don't think any other car used the same rear window motor as the TC but there might be something European that did. The window motors I took out of the TC I parted had stickers on them, A on one side and B on the other. I don't remember which side was which but I still have the regulator with the B motor on it, probably slow but I don't remember. Almost ALL the rear window motors seem slow, I think they wear out because they have to force the window up and into the hardtop weatherstrip which never seems to align perfectly. If you take the motors out then try to get an automotive electrical shop to rebuild them before putting them back in, shops that do starters and alternators usually rebuild window motors as well.

[Reaper1]

What I found was that the ball bushing on the end of the motor commutator shaft was all rusted up. That's what caused the motor to get frozen. Both of the rubber bumper stops were also either MIA or disintegrated. Luckily I had enough of one left to go to the hardware store and find a suitable replacement.

 

With the upper bumper gone it lets the window travel too far up and it lifts the window guide off the track,

 

My other issue is that is seems like the metal gear on the motor that engages the drive cable is a bit worn.

 

I am thinking I might be able to adapt a motor from a different application. All it has to do is be able to run the gears and fit in the same location. Time will tell. Maybe a trip to the junkyard, too.

[Reaper1]

Alrighty...I got the driver's side back together and operating very nicely. I took pictures and will post them of the other style regulator.

 

I still intend to take the other side apart, so when I document it I will post that as well.

[miggytosh]

@Reaper1 did you ever find a replacement rear power window motor? Got mine out and it is fried, so now on the lookout for a replacement or someone who can rebuild

[Hemi Dude]

1 hour ago, miggytosh said:

@Reaper1 did you ever find a replacement rear power window motor? Got mine out and it is fried, so now on the lookout for a replacement or someone who can rebuild

All quarter window motors are NOT alike. What year and build date is your TC? A photo of what you got, both sides of the motor. Did you remove it with the window glass and mechanism all together, or did you get the motor out by itself. 

[miggytosh]

Hey @Hemi Dude mine is a 01/89 build SOHC 2.2. And I was able to remove just the motor (what a pain).

 

Cheers-

@miggytosh

 

 

[Hemi Dude]

Just to give you guys a laugh, this is how I remove the 1/4 window assemblies the easy way. 🤣 😂